Brasher told defensive end Brandon Graham there "won't be a (wide-nine) technique" for the rest of the year. This would loom as bigger news if the 3-9 Eagles exhibited any capability to stop teams on offense, but it does suggest Andy Reid has reined in the operation to surround himself with coaches and players -- and concepts -- he's comfortable with.

The wide-nine caught fire as a buzzword in recent seasons. It's an alignment, essentially a four-down-linemen look that inches its ends outside the offensive tackles over the "nine" gap, where the tight end rests. Edge rushers typically angle toward the passer pre-snap, and the right selection of players can generate heavy heat on a quarterback. The wide-nine is linked to Washburn, but strains of it exist all over the NFL.